The Sierra Club is joining Ford Motor Company and SunPower's Drive Green for Life program to help more Americans move toward emissions-free driving. The program offers Ford customers who own electrified plug-in vehicles a rebate on a SunPower residential solar system. As the newest partner, Sierra Club will receive donations through SunPower’s rooftop system installed under the program.

Ford customers who own Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrid or Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid can have the SunPower’s residential solar system US$750 rebate to generate clean energy for the home and for electric vehicle charging. Also eligible are the C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid. As Drive Green for Life's newest partner, the Sierra Club will receive a $500 donation from SunPower for each rooftop solar system installed through the program.

"As an electric vehicle owner with solar panels on my home, I can personally attest to the incredible freedom and financial savings that come from being able to power our family's car while lessening our carbon footprint," said Jesse Simons, Sierra Club Chief of Staff. "At the Sierra Club, we want to bring clean energy prosperity to all Americans, and our new collaboration with Ford and SunPower on Drive Green for Life will help many more individuals benefit from a switch to clean, healthy solutions."

In 2011, the Sierra Club launched its electric vehicle initiative advocating ways to reduce oil use and greenhouse gas emissions. The Sierra Club also conducts public education to promote electric vehicles, including through the annual National Drive Electric Week and its interactive online EV Guide. Through the Drive Green for Life program, electric vehicles that are charged with SunPower systems become forms of mobility with reduced emissions.

New owners or lessees of Ford electrified vehicles will be given information about the Drive Green for Life program by Ford dealers. A SunPower dealer will work with interested customers to design a solar power system for their home and discuss flexible financing options. Each Drive Green for Life customer will receive their rebate and a donation will be made to the Sierra Club once the solar system is installed.

SunPower and Ford launched the Drive Green for Life program in 2011 and it is currently open to homeowners in all 50 states. Ford plug-in electric vehicles are available at certified dealerships across the country, and SunPower solar panels can be installed by more than 400 solar installers nationwide.

"Our plug-in customers have taken a big step towards sustainability by driving on electricity and now we are offering them the ability to go further by powering their homes and vehicles with clean, renewable energy," said Mike Tinskey, global director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure for Ford.

(Photo Credit: The Sierra Club via Flickr)